AP source: K Carpenter set to tryout with Bills

By JOHN WAWROW , Associated Press

Sep. 2, 201310:23 PM ET

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Kicker Dan Carpenter's cross-country search to land an NFL job is now taking him to the Buffalo Bills.

Wilfredo Lee

FILE - In this Dec. 16, 2012, file photo, Miami Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter (5) kicks a field goal from the hold of Brandon Fields during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Miami. The Arizona Cardinals have signed Carpenter to compete with Jay Feely as the team's kicker. Carpenter was released by the Dolphins a week ago. He signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted rookie in 2008 and, coincidentally, took Feely's job away from him there that season. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

FILE - In this Dec. 16, 2012, file photo, Miami Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter (5) kicks a field goal from the hold of Brandon Fields during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Miami. The Arizona Cardinals have signed Carpenter to compete with Jay Feely as the team's kicker. Carpenter was released by the Dolphins a week ago. He signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted rookie in 2008 and, coincidentally, took Feely's job away from him there that season. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

A person familiar with negotiations confirmed Monday evening that Carpenter is on his way to Buffalo for a tryout with the Bills. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team has not made an announcement.

ESPN.com first reported the Bills' interest in Carpenter, noting it came after Buffalo's rookie kicker Dustin Hopkins was hurt in practice earlier in the day.

It's unclear how Hopkins was hurt because coach Doug Marrone did not announce any injuries sustained by players during the closed-to-the-media portion of practice. Hopkins was present for the start of practice. The Bills could not be reached for comment.

This is the latest twist in what's been a hectic summer for Carpenter, who spent his first five NFL seasons with the Miami Dolphins. The 2009 Pro Bowl selection had his contract terminated by Miami on Aug. 14.

He then spent four days with Arizona before being cut by the Cardinals on Aug. 25. Two days later, Carpenter signed with the New York Jets before being released on Friday.

Before traveling to Buffalo, Carpenter was initially set to be in Cleveland, where the Browns were scheduled to have him and Billy Cundiff compete for their open job on Tuesday.

Depending on the severity of the Hopkins' injury, the Bills might have little option but to sign Carpenter given that they open the season on Sunday against the New England Patriots.

Hopkins, drafted by Buffalo in the sixth round out of Florida State, had won the Bills' placekicking duties after veteran Rian Lindell was cut two weeks ago. Lindell has since signed with Tampa Bay.